THOUSANDS of spectators gathered to watch cyclists speed around Wallingford for the town's second annual Festival of Cycling.

About 2,000 people of all ages took part in a series of races at the festival on Sunday, with about 5,000 people turning up to watch.

Last year's event was such a success that organisers decided the event should be expanded this year.

A new addition was a grandstand in the Market Place and a big screen showing footage of races including 50 and 100-mile road races, which finished with a circuit through the town centre.

Children's races, featuring about 400 young cyclists from various age groups, started and finished on the Kinecroft.

Neil Laughton, president of the Penny Farthing Club, gave lessons on the Kinecroft to youngsters including Luca Leefe, nine, from Surrey.

He said: "I really enjoyed the under-10s race and having a go on the Penny Farthing - it was a fun day and I would love to come back next year."

His dad Tom Leefe, 48, added: "The organisation and quality of the racing was excellent.

"There was sunshine in the morning and then the heavens opened in the afternoon, which made conditions for the Penny Farthing race at 6.10pm slightly hairy."

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Anushka Salbany, six, from Cholsey, a pupil at South Moreton Primary School, came second in the Year 1/2 race.

Her father Filipe Salbany, 50, said: "We had a fantastic time - it was a wonderful opportunity for Anushka and all the children to develop their cycling skills.

"It was great to have the town centre closed off for the races and families were able to spend the whole day enjoying the cycling."

Festival organiser Tony Sefton said: "It was a huge success – the biggest crowd was for the men's road race and the community rides were popular too, with lots of families signing up on the day.

"About 5pm the rain started to drive people away but the whole event was a great success and good for Wallingford. We plan to do it again next year."